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The Army of the Republic
In an America stretched by crisis to the breaking point, billionaire entrepreneur and government insider James Sands is riding high. Over the protests of civic groups and the increasing alienation of his wife, Anne, Sands is poised on the brink of an immensely risky and controversial deal that will give him control of all public water in the Pacific Northwest. But when his business partner is murdered by a radical group called The Army of the Republic, Sands finds himself losing control of his business and his life. Desperate, he turns to Whitehall Security, a private intelligence firm with far-reaching political connections. For a steep monthly fee, Whitehall will hunt down and eliminate any threats to Sands's enterprise.
Meanwhile, in Seattle, a young guerrilla named Lando leads The Army of the Republic into a dangerous war of ideals. Charismatic and cunning, Lando is obsessed with the goal of saving the country from its corrupt ruling alliance by any means necessary. His reluctant ally is political organizer Emily Cortright, coordinator of a network of civil, religious, and labor groups. Bound together in a web of common aims and conflicting loyalties, the two plan a massive peaceful protest against a conference of national business leaders, which they hope will stagger the Regime.
Beyond his control, through, Lando's Army of the Republic has already unleashed a chain of events that will electrify and frighten an uneasy nation. Hemmed in by their lethal compromises, Emily, Lando, James, and Anne struggle to redeem or destroy those whom they love most.
Thrilling and unforgettable, The Army of the Republic is a brilliant, provocative novel about what it means to live in a democracy.
Meanwhile, in Seattle, a young guerrilla named Lando leads The Army of the Republic into a dangerous war of ideals. Charismatic and cunning, Lando is obsessed with the goal of saving the country from its corrupt ruling alliance by any means necessary. His reluctant ally is political organizer Emily Cortright, coordinator of a network of civil, religious, and labor groups. Bound together in a web of common aims and conflicting loyalties, the two plan a massive peaceful protest against a conference of national business leaders, which they hope will stagger the Regime.
Beyond his control, through, Lando's Army of the Republic has already unleashed a chain of events that will electrify and frighten an uneasy nation. Hemmed in by their lethal compromises, Emily, Lando, James, and Anne struggle to redeem or destroy those whom they love most.
Thrilling and unforgettable, The Army of the Republic is a brilliant, provocative novel about what it means to live in a democracy.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
11 people are currently reading
233 people want to read
About the author
Stuart Archer Cohen
7 books48 followersInvisible World (Reganbooks/HarperCollins 1998)
The Stone Angels (Orion, 2003)
The Army of the Republic (St. Martin's Press, Sept 2008)
Born Cincinnati 1958.
Walnut Hills High School
Johns Hopkins Univ.
Columbia University, 1981
Moved to Juneau, Alaska 1982
Opened Invisible World, 1985 (Wool and Alpaca)
China, 1991, (Cashmere and Silk.)
Closed Invisible World, 1996
Published first novel, Invisible World, 1998
Ran out of money, 2001, Re-opened Invisible World, 2002
Published 17 Stone Angels in England, 2003, later translated into 9 other languages.
The Army of the Republic, St. Martin's Press, September 2008.
This is How it Really Sounds, St. Martin's, 2014
The Stone Angels (Orion, 2003)
The Army of the Republic (St. Martin's Press, Sept 2008)
Born Cincinnati 1958.
Walnut Hills High School
Johns Hopkins Univ.
Columbia University, 1981
Moved to Juneau, Alaska 1982
Opened Invisible World, 1985 (Wool and Alpaca)
China, 1991, (Cashmere and Silk.)
Closed Invisible World, 1996
Published first novel, Invisible World, 1998
Ran out of money, 2001, Re-opened Invisible World, 2002
Published 17 Stone Angels in England, 2003, later translated into 9 other languages.
The Army of the Republic, St. Martin's Press, September 2008.
This is How it Really Sounds, St. Martin's, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
June 16, 2019
A powerful statement of a book. Does a good job of presenting both sides of an America on the edge of losing it's democracy. I found the characters very real and their struggles with their morality to be believable. Certain elements seemed far-fetched but the story was very compelling. The example of Jim Sands in the story shows how deeply anchored submissiveness to the powers that be can be as well as how hard it is to break away from the status quo of our lives. Even after his wife is critically injured he still struggles with breaking free from the regime that paralyzed his wife. There are even glimmers of him giving in after his son's death though ultimately he chooses the side of the Resistance. It ends in a very open-ended way which may frustrate some that want closure and a tidy ending. To me the ending is the start of a new beginning and I'm ok with leaving up to the reader to imagine the continuation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2008
Stuart Archer Cohen’s new novel is, to say the least, polarizing. His world view and philosophical outlook inform both the message and the tone of the book. So, needless to say, some readers are not going to be pleased with what they find between the covers. But, if you can put your firm and unwavering convictions aside and allow this tale of dictatorship and dissent to speak to you, you might actually enjoy the ride.
One way in which the book will not change some minds is through the hyper-realistic settings and events. When writing a cautionary tale about modern-day events and politics, most authors will either keep the narrative grounded firmly in the real world. Some, however, will make their point by taking real events and situations and exaggerating them to an almost absurd degree. The latter, while sometimes distracting, does not necessarily discredit the message within. 1984, A Brave New World, and Atlas Shrugged are just some examples of philosophical theses successfully encapsulated in a science-fiction or fantasy shell. The Army of the Republic may seem farfetched in some spots, and may occasionally overreach in others. But those perturbed by this might be better off reading a Clancy or Grisham paperback. Deep (and sometimes radical) beliefs occasionally need to be shouted from soap boxes bigger than the real world can currently afford us.
Cohen may not be successful in converting the unconvinced with his spectacular tale of ruthless corporate oligarchs, Blackwater reminiscent death squads, and radical underground movements. But he makes his argument loud, clear, and most importantly, highly entertaining.
One way in which the book will not change some minds is through the hyper-realistic settings and events. When writing a cautionary tale about modern-day events and politics, most authors will either keep the narrative grounded firmly in the real world. Some, however, will make their point by taking real events and situations and exaggerating them to an almost absurd degree. The latter, while sometimes distracting, does not necessarily discredit the message within. 1984, A Brave New World, and Atlas Shrugged are just some examples of philosophical theses successfully encapsulated in a science-fiction or fantasy shell. The Army of the Republic may seem farfetched in some spots, and may occasionally overreach in others. But those perturbed by this might be better off reading a Clancy or Grisham paperback. Deep (and sometimes radical) beliefs occasionally need to be shouted from soap boxes bigger than the real world can currently afford us.
Cohen may not be successful in converting the unconvinced with his spectacular tale of ruthless corporate oligarchs, Blackwater reminiscent death squads, and radical underground movements. But he makes his argument loud, clear, and most importantly, highly entertaining.
November 27, 2008
Project Mayhem on Steroids
I don't know where to start. I was completely blown away by this book. Army of the Republic is similar to Fight Club, only bigger, grander, and more organized. Everything in Fight Club is in this book, with the biggest difference being the other viewpoints in a revolution.
While reading, we follow along from the first person viewpoints of a militant, a civil protest organizer, and a CEO. I am normally not a big fan of first person, but Cohen does it with such style and appreciation for the characters and their interwoven lives that I had to be impressed. Every viewpoint and every chapter was engaging. Once I hit the halfway mark through this book I could not put it down.
The beginning of Army of the Republic starts off with a masterful tone that sets the stage for the rest of the book. This book does seem to model what I would expect of a revolution in the pacing. There are times that are so high octane while others are more subtle, but still loaded with undeniable scenes that only promote the entire world and the civil unrest in that world. Furthermore, like a revolution, the books ramps up the intensity and doesn't let go. It truly is explosive.
I was engaged for every minute that I had this book in my hands. So you want a revolution? The rest is up to you.
J.Stoner
I don't know where to start. I was completely blown away by this book. Army of the Republic is similar to Fight Club, only bigger, grander, and more organized. Everything in Fight Club is in this book, with the biggest difference being the other viewpoints in a revolution.
While reading, we follow along from the first person viewpoints of a militant, a civil protest organizer, and a CEO. I am normally not a big fan of first person, but Cohen does it with such style and appreciation for the characters and their interwoven lives that I had to be impressed. Every viewpoint and every chapter was engaging. Once I hit the halfway mark through this book I could not put it down.
The beginning of Army of the Republic starts off with a masterful tone that sets the stage for the rest of the book. This book does seem to model what I would expect of a revolution in the pacing. There are times that are so high octane while others are more subtle, but still loaded with undeniable scenes that only promote the entire world and the civil unrest in that world. Furthermore, like a revolution, the books ramps up the intensity and doesn't let go. It truly is explosive.
I was engaged for every minute that I had this book in my hands. So you want a revolution? The rest is up to you.
J.Stoner
February 8, 2011
For the past two years I've been seriously thinking about what American working people might do if the government allows employers to destroy labor unions and cancel pension obligations. I've been entertaining fantasies of assassination teams, composed of unemployed and retired auto workers, picking off high-profile CEOs and high government officials. The world of The Army of the Republic features unrestrained capitalism and a Bush-like corporate government busily going after the few freedoms remaining to the American people, opposed by groups of loosely-organized militants and civil dissenters, playing out in front of a public that cares only about its own immediate comfort, perfectly willing to live under a dictatorship so long as the government leaves them alone, with a Rush Limbaugh-like talk radio host and a Fox News-like Channel America screaming out government propaganda 24/7. Narration shifts between three points of view: that of a militant, a civic organizer, and a corporate CEO. As the story progresses the three narrators become increasingly intertwined. They think about their actions, they waver in their commitments, they grow. Many books fascinate us, but how many both fascinate us and make us want to take to the streets? Not damn many. This is a brilliant and inspiring book.
June 8, 2009
This was an interesting read. One part Sinclair Lewis' classic dystopic novel, "It Can't Happen Here" and one part Rage Against the Machine. Maybe with a bit of Dan Brown apocolyptic tension (minus the religious conspiracy groups) thrown in. It was definitely a quick read. Lots of high tension and suspense. The author writes from the perspective of three characters all in the first person tense. Unique and makes it personal, but not believable. It also became tedious to try and guess whose perspective I reading every chapter (he didn't always switch--sometimes sticking with the same character for a couple chapters, which made it confusing) The characters themselves seem like cut-outs from Discovery show documentaries about eco-terrorists or left wing protest groups. The enemy corporations are equally inane and though redeemable, are still just sterile caricatures. They just never seemed believable.
The action and suspense is page turning, though and does redeem itself with a plot moving at a deliberate clip. This book could be very prophetic in how it seems almost ripped from the headlines. It's exaggeration of a future government regime (though the author never does go into detail on how a democratically elected government is so unpopular--but hey, it is fiction, right. Don't muddle it with details!) that is corrupt and power-greedy almost mimics that of the elected fascist regime "It Can't Happen Here." I did often think that the author was attempting his own retelling of that story that fit into a more contemporary setting. But he failed to make the characters believable.
It is too bad, because this could have been a great modern dystopic universe that could be entirely believable. But his characterizations were so far-out that I simply could not sympathize with anyone and simply became ready for the book to finally end.
The action and suspense is page turning, though and does redeem itself with a plot moving at a deliberate clip. This book could be very prophetic in how it seems almost ripped from the headlines. It's exaggeration of a future government regime (though the author never does go into detail on how a democratically elected government is so unpopular--but hey, it is fiction, right. Don't muddle it with details!) that is corrupt and power-greedy almost mimics that of the elected fascist regime "It Can't Happen Here." I did often think that the author was attempting his own retelling of that story that fit into a more contemporary setting. But he failed to make the characters believable.
It is too bad, because this could have been a great modern dystopic universe that could be entirely believable. But his characterizations were so far-out that I simply could not sympathize with anyone and simply became ready for the book to finally end.
August 9, 2013
This is not your run of the mill conspiracy/espionage/suspense thriller. No matter what your viewpoint (patriot, environmentalist, political activist, etc.), you're a part of this incredibly realistic, believable, horrifying picture of the US in the not too distant future. Mr. Cohen has captured every aspect of turmoil and unrest festering in this country and has managed to weave it all together to produce a masterpiece that leaves you shaking in your boots because it's so darn hit-the-nail-on-the-head accurate! There are so many things I could say....it would take many pages to truly review this book. Just don't expect to find light entertainment when you read it! He shows the power of TV and the media in our society (not to our benefit) as well as presenting the totally believable sinister scenario of a government capable of manipulating factions and turning them against each other as well as creating false scapegoats..........a most chilling picture of the evolution of the country. When the people finally wake up to what they are about to lose, will it be too late? Whew........what a book!!!
November 7, 2020
I remember receiving this book as a gift ages ago. According to the Goodreads data, it was right at the height of the Obama Administration. I was far more conservative back then. I recall letting my politics sway my opinion of the book, and even then, I had to acknowledge that it was a well-written book, full of characters that really made the reader want to invest in the story.
Fast forward eight years. My politics have shifted left. The current administration has engaged in abuses of power that make their predecessors pale in comparison. Suddenly, what Cohen predicted in his work strikes me as far more prescient (the book was published in 2008, the final year of the Bush Administration).
So, I suppose in a way, I'm letting my politics sway my opinion of the book. The difference is that this time, it's swayed me in the positive.
Agree or disagree with Cohen's political take, his character writing skills are superb, as is his research into revolutionary methods and urban insurgency. A fascinating read.
Fast forward eight years. My politics have shifted left. The current administration has engaged in abuses of power that make their predecessors pale in comparison. Suddenly, what Cohen predicted in his work strikes me as far more prescient (the book was published in 2008, the final year of the Bush Administration).
So, I suppose in a way, I'm letting my politics sway my opinion of the book. The difference is that this time, it's swayed me in the positive.
Agree or disagree with Cohen's political take, his character writing skills are superb, as is his research into revolutionary methods and urban insurgency. A fascinating read.
October 27, 2008
This book struck me as a 21st Century update of Edward Abbey's "The Monkey Wrench Gang," set in the Pacific Northwest rather than the deserts of the southwest. It combines good storytelling with a chilling eye for current political trends. It's a disturbing story that could be set in the year 2013 after "four more years of Bush." My greatest regret is that it hasn't been required reading for anyone casting a vote in October or November of 2008.
July 31, 2015
I abandoned this book because I can't stand reading books featuring blatant author self-insertion. The plot of this book is interesting, and Cohen occasionally writes some clever action scenes, but the protagonist is a frustratingly bland one-dimensional mouthpiece for his political beliefs.
October 31, 2008
Its not going to win any awards but it made me smile and feel paranoid at the same time
January 1, 2018
I've noticed that if you want to throw a book across the room, I either despise the book, or know it was well written because it made me get emotionally involved. Cohen wrote a book that I felt connected to.
October 10, 2019
Great read...very apropos to our political times.
July 11, 2020
Great look at activism vs. corporations and their struggles. Extremely relevant to current times.
May 22, 2010
Daaaaang. That was my first response upon finishing The Army of the Republic. This story here is angering, creepy, scary, and thought-provoking at the same time. One might go so far as to suggest that if, at the end of the book, you're not mad, then you might want to revisit.
I admit, it took me a long time to get through this book. I'd pick it up, read it, put it down, take it to work, read it on lunch, read it in the waiting room, cart it around, and finally finished it. This isn't a negative reflection of the book, necessarily; there's a lot to digest here, and a lot that needs to be thought about.
With that said, this is definitely a theme-driven book. There's a message in this story, and everything- the tone, the narrative style, the characters, you name it- is there to present that message. In the author information page, his extensive travels in Latin America were mentioned as inspiration for this story, and I definitely saw elements of the dictatorships and political unrest the region has experienced.
At its core, The Army of the Republic focuses on the showdown between corporate interests and those who would maintain the status quo, represented by James Sands, and Lando, leader of the Army of the Republic and advocate for radical change. America in this book has been overrun by special interests in the worst possible way; everything, from natural resources to the outcomes of elections to the basic rights and freedoms of individuals, is dictated by a guy in an office somewhere whose job it is to make sure that certain people get elected, certain contracts go to certain places, and damn the opinions or freedoms of anyone who gets in the way.
The story twists and turns through the planning and execution of demonstrations, through the actual execution of corporate executives and others, through Lando trying to reconcile his persona within the Army with his SECRET (even though I figured out his secret pretty early on, it didn't diminish the impact of the final pages of the book at all,) through James Sands figuring out that playing with snakes will get you bitten; it's really, really hard to discuss this book without giving everything away or just doing a straight up analysis, chapter by chapter.
Whatever your personal political persuasions may be, The Army of the Republic has some serious questions for you to consider. Maybe you think that privatization is awesome and big business is the name of the game. Well, in the world of this novel, how much of your freedom and choice would you be willing to give up to preserve that position? What happens when you object to practices and the other side just plain doesn't care? Or better yet, what happens when they send their privately run security squads to hunt you down and you can't go to anyone for help, because those outlets, like the police, have all been privatized as well? James Sands, the face of the corporations, makes decisions to preserve his position without considering what the ramifications might be; he thinks he's willing to pay any price required and finds out that he couldn't be more wrong.
Or maybe you think the protesters are totally on the right track. Stick it to the man! Power to the people! Wait, how does killing people you find objectionable or who represent causes that are abhorrent to you make you less of a murderer than the other side? What happens when people aren't satisfied with changes you've made and want more blood, more violence, and more death? Don't you have to rewrite history so that your atrocities are covered up, your takeover looks peaceful, and your legitimacy is established? Didn't you just look at a monster and find yourself there instead? Lando certainly grapples with this issue; the Army certainly gets results but at the end of the day, they are the monster in the closet of the reform movement; Lando somehow thinks that his "public" persona can somehow be kept separate from his private one and definitely pays a stiff price for that misguided notion.
I could go on and on and on and on, but The Army of the Republic does a much better job of illustrating how, at the end of the day, we are all connected to, beholden to, and obligated to each other. Even the first person narrative, despite the story having several different narrators, wove everyone's voice together so seamlessly that after awhile I wasn't sure who was talking, and I think that was the point. At the end of the day and for better or worse, what we do, both as groups and as individuals, affects other people, and that's something that's good for people on all points of the political spectrum to remember.
Overall Grade: B
Read more reviews at What Book is That?
I admit, it took me a long time to get through this book. I'd pick it up, read it, put it down, take it to work, read it on lunch, read it in the waiting room, cart it around, and finally finished it. This isn't a negative reflection of the book, necessarily; there's a lot to digest here, and a lot that needs to be thought about.
With that said, this is definitely a theme-driven book. There's a message in this story, and everything- the tone, the narrative style, the characters, you name it- is there to present that message. In the author information page, his extensive travels in Latin America were mentioned as inspiration for this story, and I definitely saw elements of the dictatorships and political unrest the region has experienced.
At its core, The Army of the Republic focuses on the showdown between corporate interests and those who would maintain the status quo, represented by James Sands, and Lando, leader of the Army of the Republic and advocate for radical change. America in this book has been overrun by special interests in the worst possible way; everything, from natural resources to the outcomes of elections to the basic rights and freedoms of individuals, is dictated by a guy in an office somewhere whose job it is to make sure that certain people get elected, certain contracts go to certain places, and damn the opinions or freedoms of anyone who gets in the way.
The story twists and turns through the planning and execution of demonstrations, through the actual execution of corporate executives and others, through Lando trying to reconcile his persona within the Army with his SECRET (even though I figured out his secret pretty early on, it didn't diminish the impact of the final pages of the book at all,) through James Sands figuring out that playing with snakes will get you bitten; it's really, really hard to discuss this book without giving everything away or just doing a straight up analysis, chapter by chapter.
Whatever your personal political persuasions may be, The Army of the Republic has some serious questions for you to consider. Maybe you think that privatization is awesome and big business is the name of the game. Well, in the world of this novel, how much of your freedom and choice would you be willing to give up to preserve that position? What happens when you object to practices and the other side just plain doesn't care? Or better yet, what happens when they send their privately run security squads to hunt you down and you can't go to anyone for help, because those outlets, like the police, have all been privatized as well? James Sands, the face of the corporations, makes decisions to preserve his position without considering what the ramifications might be; he thinks he's willing to pay any price required and finds out that he couldn't be more wrong.
Or maybe you think the protesters are totally on the right track. Stick it to the man! Power to the people! Wait, how does killing people you find objectionable or who represent causes that are abhorrent to you make you less of a murderer than the other side? What happens when people aren't satisfied with changes you've made and want more blood, more violence, and more death? Don't you have to rewrite history so that your atrocities are covered up, your takeover looks peaceful, and your legitimacy is established? Didn't you just look at a monster and find yourself there instead? Lando certainly grapples with this issue; the Army certainly gets results but at the end of the day, they are the monster in the closet of the reform movement; Lando somehow thinks that his "public" persona can somehow be kept separate from his private one and definitely pays a stiff price for that misguided notion.
I could go on and on and on and on, but The Army of the Republic does a much better job of illustrating how, at the end of the day, we are all connected to, beholden to, and obligated to each other. Even the first person narrative, despite the story having several different narrators, wove everyone's voice together so seamlessly that after awhile I wasn't sure who was talking, and I think that was the point. At the end of the day and for better or worse, what we do, both as groups and as individuals, affects other people, and that's something that's good for people on all points of the political spectrum to remember.
Overall Grade: B
Read more reviews at What Book is That?
March 30, 2012
There was a lot to like about this book. There was excitement, a (albeit a bit contrived) love story, Oedipal troubles, assassination, and even the occasional good giggle.
The story is essentially about a young revolutionary trying to stop the world from ending thanks to corporate greed; his love interest, another young revolutionary who is the Martin Luther King to his Malcolm X; and a corporate Big Wig, who is determined to see the privatization of all water throughout the country. As things unravel on all parts, characters must face the uglier parts of themselves and the country they all believe themselves to be saving.
If you are a staunch Republican, should you read this? Probably not. It is definitely slanted to the left, and paints a picture of (economic) conservatives as being greedy, self-serving, and generally inhuman. On the other hand, I found that there was some truth to what certain characters said. For example, James Sands, water profiteer, complains over and over that people keep thinking that the water should just belong to everybody, but it doesn't. He insists that water is a resource that belongs to him and is doled out based on what he decides. This "me first" attitude is something commonly heard across the political spectrum, which is perhaps why the author declines to ever mention the political party of President Matthews.
All in all, a highly entertaining, thought-provoking book. This might require another read for me to get a full grasp of the political nuances.
The story is essentially about a young revolutionary trying to stop the world from ending thanks to corporate greed; his love interest, another young revolutionary who is the Martin Luther King to his Malcolm X; and a corporate Big Wig, who is determined to see the privatization of all water throughout the country. As things unravel on all parts, characters must face the uglier parts of themselves and the country they all believe themselves to be saving.
If you are a staunch Republican, should you read this? Probably not. It is definitely slanted to the left, and paints a picture of (economic) conservatives as being greedy, self-serving, and generally inhuman. On the other hand, I found that there was some truth to what certain characters said. For example, James Sands, water profiteer, complains over and over that people keep thinking that the water should just belong to everybody, but it doesn't. He insists that water is a resource that belongs to him and is doled out based on what he decides. This "me first" attitude is something commonly heard across the political spectrum, which is perhaps why the author declines to ever mention the political party of President Matthews.
All in all, a highly entertaining, thought-provoking book. This might require another read for me to get a full grasp of the political nuances.
June 4, 2013
Full Disclosure: I really, really wanted to not like this book. Given that I'd started clumsily stabbing out my own 'dystopian near-future' novel when I came across this, drawing on very similar themes, I was really hoping that it would be bad.
Like, jaw-dropping, balls-to-the-wall rubbish, so that I could at least continue with my own, safe in the knowledge that, whilst it might not be completely original, or even that good, it was still slightly better than this.
So, anyways, imagine my disappointment when, despite my best efforts, I not only didn't not like it, but actually really, really did!!
Despite wilfully, diligently, and somewhat obsessively looking for stuff to laugh at, or criticise, or even just 'improve upon', my Red Pen remained unused for the entire length of the book, and my pencil (used here to highlight stuff that is done better than I could ever hope to do) is now but a tiny little stub of graphite and wood, representing yet another failure and retreat to the drawing board for little old me.
So, you know, thanks for that Stuart Archer Cohen, and please, do feel free to bite me!!
The ideas in TAOTR are interesting, well-thought out, and show that Cohen has a good understanding of how Government/Democracy can be corrupted given the right circumstances. Whether that's a process that's already begun, or whether it's a future, fictional scenario, will largely depend on the particular viewpoint of a given reader, but crucially, I don't think it matters too much in terms of whether the story works, or not.
And I don't think it matters too much precisely because it's so well written. Even if you are reading it looking for the 'Troo dat' bits, or drawing parallels between Whitehall and Blackwater, or whatever, you're just as likely to get swept up in the story as somebody who's never heard of a private military contractor in their life.
I found the characters to be believable, well-developed, and I thought their intersecting narratives were handled well. I thought the dialogue and interactions were particularly good, and often found myself reminded of Richard Price when reading them, because of the simple, realistic authenticity of a given characters' voice.
And that, in my humble opinion, is pretty high praise indeed.
So yeah, there you go!! Pretty good book, all things considered.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to work on a plan B.......
Like, jaw-dropping, balls-to-the-wall rubbish, so that I could at least continue with my own, safe in the knowledge that, whilst it might not be completely original, or even that good, it was still slightly better than this.
So, anyways, imagine my disappointment when, despite my best efforts, I not only didn't not like it, but actually really, really did!!
Despite wilfully, diligently, and somewhat obsessively looking for stuff to laugh at, or criticise, or even just 'improve upon', my Red Pen remained unused for the entire length of the book, and my pencil (used here to highlight stuff that is done better than I could ever hope to do) is now but a tiny little stub of graphite and wood, representing yet another failure and retreat to the drawing board for little old me.
So, you know, thanks for that Stuart Archer Cohen, and please, do feel free to bite me!!
The ideas in TAOTR are interesting, well-thought out, and show that Cohen has a good understanding of how Government/Democracy can be corrupted given the right circumstances. Whether that's a process that's already begun, or whether it's a future, fictional scenario, will largely depend on the particular viewpoint of a given reader, but crucially, I don't think it matters too much in terms of whether the story works, or not.
And I don't think it matters too much precisely because it's so well written. Even if you are reading it looking for the 'Troo dat' bits, or drawing parallels between Whitehall and Blackwater, or whatever, you're just as likely to get swept up in the story as somebody who's never heard of a private military contractor in their life.
I found the characters to be believable, well-developed, and I thought their intersecting narratives were handled well. I thought the dialogue and interactions were particularly good, and often found myself reminded of Richard Price when reading them, because of the simple, realistic authenticity of a given characters' voice.
And that, in my humble opinion, is pretty high praise indeed.
So yeah, there you go!! Pretty good book, all things considered.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to work on a plan B.......
February 22, 2021
The book is heavy on political descriptions. It has a great theme and thoughtful ideas. I kind of had some issues following the narrative mostly because the character's personal life and emotion was touched less than I needed.
September 24, 2008
The Army of the Republic is definitely an important novel to read. As it says on the cover, read it while it's still fiction. In this work of fiction, America's economy has collapsed and big companies are buying up even city water supplies to make a sizable profit. The USA is ripe for revolution as the people get poorer and large companies get richer. Some groups are hoping for revolution through non-violent protest. However, the Army of the Republic feels the need for a show of force -- murdering corrupt businessmen and bombing monopolistic companies. Both the non-violent and violent protesters feel that their way of solving the country's problems are correct, but they eventually band together to try to incite the necessary change.
Each chapter is told from one of 3 different characters' points of view. This is an extremely effective strategy on the part of the author because it lets the reader understand various ways of seeing revolutionary ideas. Through Emily, the reader becomes acquainted with the theories of non-violent resistance. Through Lando, the reader comes to understand the attitudes of those who feel violence is the only way to get the country's attention. And through Jim, the reader delves into the feelings of the executives who have created the problems in the first place.
This novel isn't necessarily a page-turner, but I felt compelled to finish it because a need for revolution could come to any generation. The decision to call for revolution is not one to make lightly because it nearly always is carried to its end through violence even if it starts as non-violent protests.
My only qualm with this novel is that I had hoped that it would have been more literarily great. I had hoped for something that would be so shockingly wonderful that I'd have to give it 5 stars and suggest it to all my friends who would greedily devour the pages. Unfortunately, the writing didn't quite have that effect on me.
Note: While I critique both purchased and free books in the same way, I'm legally obligated to tell you I received this book free through the Amazon Vine program in return for my review. Blah blah blah.
Each chapter is told from one of 3 different characters' points of view. This is an extremely effective strategy on the part of the author because it lets the reader understand various ways of seeing revolutionary ideas. Through Emily, the reader becomes acquainted with the theories of non-violent resistance. Through Lando, the reader comes to understand the attitudes of those who feel violence is the only way to get the country's attention. And through Jim, the reader delves into the feelings of the executives who have created the problems in the first place.
This novel isn't necessarily a page-turner, but I felt compelled to finish it because a need for revolution could come to any generation. The decision to call for revolution is not one to make lightly because it nearly always is carried to its end through violence even if it starts as non-violent protests.
My only qualm with this novel is that I had hoped that it would have been more literarily great. I had hoped for something that would be so shockingly wonderful that I'd have to give it 5 stars and suggest it to all my friends who would greedily devour the pages. Unfortunately, the writing didn't quite have that effect on me.
Note: While I critique both purchased and free books in the same way, I'm legally obligated to tell you I received this book free through the Amazon Vine program in return for my review. Blah blah blah.
February 3, 2014
Not what I expected - and that's a good thing. What did I expect? An anti government, pro "patriot" 2nd revolution or civil war story - and I was looking for that! While I started out with my political beliefs leaning pretty far right (I used to joke I was so right wing I couldn't make a left turn), the neo cons came along and destroyed what I - and I believe - and most people thought of when you said conservative.
I also began to see so much of what is wrong with the concept (since that is all that exists - the concept) of a free market. The corporations that have been spawned and prospered further convinced me that our "free markets" combined with the corruption of massive money, have all but destroyed the concept of the American dream.
So I was looking for a little release in a book I thought would detail the struggle to 'fix' the problems I see in our society.
Told from several points of view: the radical, militant young man, founder of the Army of the Republic; a young woman, a civil organizer who befriends the militant; and a corporate executive, the target of the militants and participant in what many feel (in the 'real' world) could be the future of our country. Each is given a real voice and a real character. That alone must have been a challenge for the author. It means that not only could he see the differing points of view, but could give legitimacy to each. That's tough.
At times, the writing lacks a little but only a little. When you bounce out of a story because you notice the writing, to me, that's a mistake. It happens rarely and really, that's a minor complaint.
I can see this as a terrific movie, if Hollywood can keep it both cerebral and exciting. Because that's what the book is. I enjoyed it, would love to see a sequel but would understand why it can't be (after all, could 1984 have a sequel?) and I learned a few things. Definitely worth the time. And isn't that about the best thing you can say about a book?
I also began to see so much of what is wrong with the concept (since that is all that exists - the concept) of a free market. The corporations that have been spawned and prospered further convinced me that our "free markets" combined with the corruption of massive money, have all but destroyed the concept of the American dream.
So I was looking for a little release in a book I thought would detail the struggle to 'fix' the problems I see in our society.
Told from several points of view: the radical, militant young man, founder of the Army of the Republic; a young woman, a civil organizer who befriends the militant; and a corporate executive, the target of the militants and participant in what many feel (in the 'real' world) could be the future of our country. Each is given a real voice and a real character. That alone must have been a challenge for the author. It means that not only could he see the differing points of view, but could give legitimacy to each. That's tough.
At times, the writing lacks a little but only a little. When you bounce out of a story because you notice the writing, to me, that's a mistake. It happens rarely and really, that's a minor complaint.
I can see this as a terrific movie, if Hollywood can keep it both cerebral and exciting. Because that's what the book is. I enjoyed it, would love to see a sequel but would understand why it can't be (after all, could 1984 have a sequel?) and I learned a few things. Definitely worth the time. And isn't that about the best thing you can say about a book?
October 26, 2016
I don't think I've ever reviewed a book that I didn't finish before. Yet, as the saying goes, there's a first time for everything. Back in 2008 I received an advance reader copy (ARC) of this book as the very first item I received through Amazon Vine. I read about 70 or so pages of it before giving up on it, planning on returning to it at a later date. A little more than eight years later, I pulled it off the shelf and gave it another go. The result was sadly just the same.
Why? On the surface, this is a novel that should be right up my alley. It's a political thriller set in the near future and despite the passing of nearly a decade and two presidential election cycles, the subject is still as relevant. The problem is it is unremittingly dull once it gets beyond its opening chapter, told in the first person by three different people on different sides of the political divide. None of whom, it must be said, are really that sympathetic or interesting which makes for dry reading. Worse, the subject matter is presented in sweeping, overly simplistic tones that just adds to the dryness of it. Perhaps if I'd kept going I'd have been happier with it, I don't know.
What I do know is that after two attempts nearly a decade apart, I can not get myself into this novel. Its opening is a dry, dull read once the shock and awe opening pages are over with. Maybe I should give it another go in eight more years?
(I received this book free through Amazon Vine in return for an honest review)
Why? On the surface, this is a novel that should be right up my alley. It's a political thriller set in the near future and despite the passing of nearly a decade and two presidential election cycles, the subject is still as relevant. The problem is it is unremittingly dull once it gets beyond its opening chapter, told in the first person by three different people on different sides of the political divide. None of whom, it must be said, are really that sympathetic or interesting which makes for dry reading. Worse, the subject matter is presented in sweeping, overly simplistic tones that just adds to the dryness of it. Perhaps if I'd kept going I'd have been happier with it, I don't know.
What I do know is that after two attempts nearly a decade apart, I can not get myself into this novel. Its opening is a dry, dull read once the shock and awe opening pages are over with. Maybe I should give it another go in eight more years?
(I received this book free through Amazon Vine in return for an honest review)
June 11, 2011
The Army of the Republic is a book about a near-future dystopia that focuses on trends in contemporary media and domestic politics to gain much of its force. There are three main characters, and their stories intertwine in surprising and satifying ways, but for many readers much of the interest will lie in the social environment, which bears eerie similarities to our own: the Fox News-like commentators, the corporations who control vital resources (in this case, water), the privatized police forces and armies and prisons. And of course, the "terrorists" who fight against all this. Some readers have criticized the author for wearing his politics on his sleeve but I think this is an oversimplification. The characters here all inhabit their own point of view, and naturally, characters who are involved with illegal activities are going to have their own reasons for doing so. Other characters represent a full range of attitudes. Besides, I doubt that many of these readers (myself included) know the author or his politics.
Full disclosure: I was asked to write a blurb for this book, and after I read it I did so. I said this: "Thomas Paine meets Rage Against the Machine. Read it quick, while it's still fiction." I stand by that assessment--a couple of years have gone by, but this book remains as timely as ever.
Full disclosure: I was asked to write a blurb for this book, and after I read it I did so. I said this: "Thomas Paine meets Rage Against the Machine. Read it quick, while it's still fiction." I stand by that assessment--a couple of years have gone by, but this book remains as timely as ever.
April 6, 2014
Stuart Archer Cohen delivers a modern-day update of Sinclair Lewis's It Can't Happen Here. The Army of the Republic is a leftist militant group who have recently escalated their violent revolt against the corporatist, right-wing government, all the way to murdering CEOs. Clearly, whether or not you like this book will depend on your politics.
The characters don't get developed fully, instead presenting themselves as stock oligarchs, stereotypical anarchists and conflicted family members. The writing style is more of a thriller, though one with left-leaning political viewpoints scattered throughout. The book will definitely get your blood boiling, no matter which side of the political spectrum you reside on. I found myself growing angry at the situations as I read.
Cohen makes an interesting decision to tell the story in multiple first person point of view, alternating between a militant leader in the title revolutionary group, his love interest who is in the inner circle of a peaceful protest group and the CEO of a water privatization company who, in a bid to save his multi-billion dollar corporation from the onslaught of the militants, becomes ensnared with a government-backed group of mercenary death squads. The next civil war is on.
The characters don't get developed fully, instead presenting themselves as stock oligarchs, stereotypical anarchists and conflicted family members. The writing style is more of a thriller, though one with left-leaning political viewpoints scattered throughout. The book will definitely get your blood boiling, no matter which side of the political spectrum you reside on. I found myself growing angry at the situations as I read.
Cohen makes an interesting decision to tell the story in multiple first person point of view, alternating between a militant leader in the title revolutionary group, his love interest who is in the inner circle of a peaceful protest group and the CEO of a water privatization company who, in a bid to save his multi-billion dollar corporation from the onslaught of the militants, becomes ensnared with a government-backed group of mercenary death squads. The next civil war is on.
July 25, 2011
This is a very scary book. While it is definitely tilted to a leftist view of America, it is undeniable that some of the scenarios it presents are very plausible.
The book takes place around a series of events in Seattle in a near future America where government corruption and corporate power have alienated people who now organize into either social protestors or armed guerrilla groups.
While the book is an exciting thriller, it also brings up some intriguing ideas about how the unholy alliance between corporate America and the government is undermining democracy and even the standard of living of Americans.
One of the key plots in the book is the attempt by a corporate entity to control water supply and distribution to the Pacific Northwest. Just today I was surprised to read that a federal panel is encouraging Congress to raise taxes on gasoline and to promote toll roads as a way to fund road maintenance and improvement. Just like the idea of making water a commercial commodity is somewhat alien, the idea of marketing roads (at least on the West Coast) seems also eerie.
The book takes place around a series of events in Seattle in a near future America where government corruption and corporate power have alienated people who now organize into either social protestors or armed guerrilla groups.
While the book is an exciting thriller, it also brings up some intriguing ideas about how the unholy alliance between corporate America and the government is undermining democracy and even the standard of living of Americans.
One of the key plots in the book is the attempt by a corporate entity to control water supply and distribution to the Pacific Northwest. Just today I was surprised to read that a federal panel is encouraging Congress to raise taxes on gasoline and to promote toll roads as a way to fund road maintenance and improvement. Just like the idea of making water a commercial commodity is somewhat alien, the idea of marketing roads (at least on the West Coast) seems also eerie.
July 30, 2011
It took me about 100 pages to really get into the thrust of this story, when the writing finally started exploring the ways three main POVs overlapped and why beyond the surface. When I picked this up, I expected it to be more entrenched in a modern American revolution, but in actually this is about a series of events that sparks one.
Interestingly, the characters I liked the most and wanted to know a lot more about were not the three protagonists. Instead, I would love, love, love to read more about Anne Sands and/or MacFarland, which made it tough to get through at some points, because I couldn't really empathize with the James, Emily, or Lando completely. (Thought Emily the most, I suppose.)
But I guess that's also sort of the point of a story about revolutions and the different sides that cause them. The heroes and villains get mixed up and boiled down to who's the least selfish, and in that way, I did appreciate that the books makes it hard to really root for any one easily-identified Good.
Interestingly, the characters I liked the most and wanted to know a lot more about were not the three protagonists. Instead, I would love, love, love to read more about Anne Sands and/or MacFarland, which made it tough to get through at some points, because I couldn't really empathize with the James, Emily, or Lando completely. (Thought Emily the most, I suppose.)
But I guess that's also sort of the point of a story about revolutions and the different sides that cause them. The heroes and villains get mixed up and boiled down to who's the least selfish, and in that way, I did appreciate that the books makes it hard to really root for any one easily-identified Good.
September 12, 2013
I was blown away by the accuracy of this book. Knowing it was written five years ago, I was very impressed with the way the author depicted the media in the book. It seemed like it could have been written today. This man might have a crystal ball. I enjoyed this book from start to finish and I thought the way the author moves between first person views was an interesting way to tell the story.
I would give this book five stars, but I almost stopped reading the book when one of the characters said "I could care less". How could you do this to me, Mr Cohen? It means he DOES CARE. Have you no humanity? Does the English language hold no value to you? If this had not happened near the very end of the book I would have never finished it and used the pages to light the Molotov cocktails the previous reading had inspired in me. http://i.imgur.com/lziid.jpg
I would give this book five stars, but I almost stopped reading the book when one of the characters said "I could care less". How could you do this to me, Mr Cohen? It means he DOES CARE. Have you no humanity? Does the English language hold no value to you? If this had not happened near the very end of the book I would have never finished it and used the pages to light the Molotov cocktails the previous reading had inspired in me. http://i.imgur.com/lziid.jpg
July 10, 2009
I was very hesitant to post a review about this book, but I ended up liking it a lot more than I thought I would at the first, so I decided to go ahead and do it.
The feeling of foreboding I got while reading it was very similar to The Road, although the Road was a far superior book. The characters are up against odds that let you know from the outset, this is not going to turn out well.
My one major complaint with the book was the juvenile dialogue. Not that the ideas were juvenile, but the way the characters conveyed those ideas was just a little dumbed down, I think.
The end was good. Very fitting. Makes me want to get back out my Rage Against the Machine CD's and let The Man know who is really in charge.
The feeling of foreboding I got while reading it was very similar to The Road, although the Road was a far superior book. The characters are up against odds that let you know from the outset, this is not going to turn out well.
My one major complaint with the book was the juvenile dialogue. Not that the ideas were juvenile, but the way the characters conveyed those ideas was just a little dumbed down, I think.
The end was good. Very fitting. Makes me want to get back out my Rage Against the Machine CD's and let The Man know who is really in charge.
December 30, 2010
I really enjoyed this book, and was surprised that I did. I feared before engaging that it would be more pamphlet than literature, that it could go overboard and fanatical to a point that just wouldn't be intellectually stimulating. Well, it isn't, and it didn't. The book is fun too read, well constructed and with very rounded out characters. interesting and informative on the state of the ecology discussions (or confrontations) in western society, and as close as we get understanding the structure, workings, and dilemas of a modern counter-culture movement. More importantly, it is gripping enough that once you start you can hardly let go of the book, always the mark I am looking for in a book whatever other qualities it may have.
May 13, 2009
I'm not sure what I thought this book would be when I picked it up. I was thinking a dark cyberpunk story of the future part blade runner part dark angel. What I got was all that and more, not a pretty picture. If I could sum it all up it would be that it is way to close to home, and by home I mean the here and now. It is really a story about protesters of one kind or another, the media, the government, the corporations. Good interplay of characters, not a happy ending. Set mostly in Seattle so I can't keep from associating it with my friends and memories of the place. - Read this book, I'd love to know what you think.
March 25, 2010
One HUGE plus about this book, it gives an a fairly in depth look at nonviolent movements/tactics, which I thought was very cool and enlightening. But Cohen drops you into a United States basically on the brink of civil war with almost no explination. Although he flushes it out a bit more the country's situation comes off as a bit forced. The character's and their relationships are a bit stale and predictable (come on, Lando has daddy issues, seriously?)and end up being a bit boring. A fun read but the ending leaves you scratching your head.
September 20, 2011
I want to give this book a higher four-star rating but because the end, or LACK of ending, disappointed me and pissed me off so much I just can't. Amazing writing, had me ignoring my boyfriend for a couple days so I could get this read. But I am so sick and tired of script and movie writers who think this "no ending" is an actual ending. Did he forget the whole "resolution" aspect of a story that we're taught in elementary school?!
Exhilaration read! If you can deal with the cop out ala The Myst at the end, go for it.
Exhilaration read! If you can deal with the cop out ala The Myst at the end, go for it.
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